Introduction
Welcome to our tutorial on how to screenshot on Mac – an essential skill for anyone using an Apple computer. Whether you’re a designer, gamer, or simply want to capture your screen’s content, learning how to do a screenshot on your Mac can save you time and effort. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the process, so you can quickly and easily get the screenshots you need.
Before we dive into how to screenshot on Mac, let’s first look at why you might need to take a screenshot in the first place. Screenshots can be useful for a range of purposes, such as creating tutorials, recording bugs or issues, sharing images with colleagues or friends, or simply capturing moments you want to remember. Knowing how to screenshot on your Mac is an essential skill that can help you work more efficiently and effectively.
In this tutorial, we will cover:
- How to take a screenshot of your entire screen
- How to take a screenshot of a selected area
- How to take a screenshot of a window
- How to take a screenshot with a timer delay
- How to take a screenshot of the Touch Bar
- How to change the default screenshot location
- How to edit your screenshots
How to Screenshot on Mac: Step-by-Step Guide
1. How to Take a Screenshot of Your Entire Screen
The easiest way to take a screenshot on your Mac is to capture your entire screen. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 3 on your keyboard
- You will hear a camera sound and a screenshot will be saved to your desktop
It’s that simple! Now you can find your screenshot on your desktop and use it however you please.
2. How to Take a Screenshot of a Selected Area
If you want to capture only a specific area of your screen, you can use this method:
- Press Command + Shift + 4 on your keyboard
- Your cursor will turn into a crosshair; click and drag to select the area you want to capture
- The screenshot will be saved to your desktop as a .png file
This method is perfect for capturing a specific section of your screen, such as an error message or a specific image.
3. How to Take a Screenshot of a Window
If you want to capture a specific window rather than the entire screen, follow these steps:
- Click on the window you want to capture so that it is in focus
- Press Command + Shift + 4 on your keyboard
- Your cursor will turn into a crosshair; press the spacebar to turn it into a camera icon
- Click on the window you want to capture
- The screenshot will be saved to your desktop as a .png file
This method is perfect for capturing a specific window, such as a browser window or an application window.
4. How to Take a Screenshot with a Timer Delay
If you need to set up your screenshot before it is taken, such as opening a menu, then you may want to use the timer delay feature:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the screenshot toolbar
- Click on the Options button on the right side of the toolbar
- Select a timer delay of either 5 or 10 seconds
- Follow the steps for taking a screenshot of your entire screen, a selected area, or a window
This method is useful when you need to prepare an area on your screen before capturing it.
5. How to Take a Screenshot of the Touch Bar
If you have a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, you can also capture it in a screenshot:
- Press Command + Shift + 6 on your keyboard
- The screenshot will be saved to your desktop as a .png file
This method is useful when you want to document the state of your Touch Bar, such as when you have customized it for a specific application.
6. How to Change the Default Screenshot Location
If you don’t want your screenshots to be saved to your desktop, you can change the default location:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the screenshot toolbar
- Click on the Options button on the right side of the toolbar
- Select a new location from the Save to dropdown menu
This method is useful when you want to keep your desktop clutter-free or save your screenshots to a specific folder.
7. How to Edit Your Screenshots
Once you have taken your screenshot, you may want to edit it before sharing or saving it:
- Double-click on the screenshot on your desktop to open it in Preview
- Click on the Edit button in the toolbar
- Use the tools in the toolbar to crop, resize, annotate, or add text to your screenshot
- Save your edited screenshot to your desired location
Preview is a powerful tool that comes with your Mac, and it’s perfect for making quick edits to your screenshots.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now know how to screenshot on your Mac like a pro. Whether you need to capture your entire screen or a specific window, use a timer delay or edit your screenshots, this tutorial has covered everything you need to know. Remember to experiment with the different methods to find the one that works best for you.
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments section below. We’re here to help you succeed!
FAQs
1. How do I take a screenshot on a Mac keyboard without a Print Screen key?
On a Mac keyboard, there is no dedicated Print Screen key. Instead, you can use the Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 4 combinations to take a screenshot.
2. Can I change the format of my screenshots?
Yes, you can change the format of your screenshots to JPEG, PDF, TIFF, or other formats. To do this, press Command + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar, then click on the Options button and select your desired format from the Format dropdown menu.
3. Where are my screenshots saved on a Mac?
By default, your screenshots are saved to your desktop as .png files. You can change the default location by following the steps outlined in section 6 of this tutorial.
4. Can I take a screenshot of a video on my Mac?
Yes, you can take a screenshot of a video on your Mac, but the quality may not be as high as capturing a still image. To take a screenshot of a video, follow the steps outlined in section 2 or 3, depending on whether you want to capture the entire screen or a specific window.
5. How do I take a screenshot with a white background instead of transparent?
To take a screenshot with a white background instead of transparent, follow the steps outlined in section 6 and select Desktop from the Save to dropdown menu. This will save your screenshots with a white background.
6. Can I take a screenshot on my Mac with my iPhone?
Yes, you can take a screenshot on your Mac with your iPhone by using the Continuity Camera feature. Simply open the Screenshot app on your Mac, then click on the camera icon in the toolbar. Choose Take Photo or Scan Documents, then follow the instructions on your iPhone to capture the image and send it to your Mac.
7. Can I take a screenshot of a scrolling window on my Mac?
Yes, you can take a screenshot of a scrolling window on your Mac using third-party tools such as Snagit or Lightshot. These tools allow you to capture the entire content of a scrolling window with one screenshot.
To take a screenshot of a menu on your Mac, follow the steps outlined in section 4 and use the timer delay feature. This will give you time to open the menu you want to capture before the screenshot is taken.
9. How do I take a screenshot of the Touch Bar on my MacBook Pro?
To take a screenshot of the Touch Bar on your MacBook Pro, follow the steps outlined in section 5: Press Command + Shift + 6 on your keyboard, and the screenshot will be saved to your desktop as a .png file.
10. How do I take a screenshot of a specific application on my Mac?
To take a screenshot of a specific application on your Mac, follow the steps outlined in section 3: Click on the window you want to capture so that it is in focus, press Command + Shift + 4 on your keyboard, and click on the window you want to capture.
11. Can I take a screenshot of my Mac’s login screen?
No, you cannot take a screenshot of your Mac’s login screen. This is a security feature that prevents unauthorized access to your computer.
12. Can I set up a keyboard shortcut for taking a screenshot?
Yes, you can set up a keyboard shortcut for taking a screenshot by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Screenshots. From there, you can set up a shortcut for taking a screenshot of your entire screen, a selected area, or a specific window.
13. How do I take a screenshot of my Mac’s Touch ID login screen?
You cannot take a screenshot of your Mac’s Touch ID login screen. This is a security feature that prevents unauthorized access to your computer.
Closing/Disclaimer
We hope you found this tutorial on how to screenshot on Mac helpful. Please note that while we have done our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information, screenshots may vary depending on your operating system or hardware. Always refer to your Mac’s user manual for specific instructions or contact Apple support for further assistance.
This tutorial is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice or guidance. We do not accept any liability for damages or losses arising from your use of this tutorial or your reliance on any information contained herein.